Scale RCM 1/3 Scale Champ Build

I'm finishing up the right aileron then Ekoprime filler. Possibly get the primer on on Thursday if all goes well, just might put the yellow to the wings over the weekend. I have the wings mounted in a fixture that I built sometime ago to paint a BUSA Super Cub. Holds both wings and allows the wings to rotated 90 degrees on each move. I'm working on a fixture to hold the ailerons while painting as well. Once the wings are painted will assess the need to order more yellow paint. I have decided to use black for the N numbers and other markings, not sure if I will paint or order stencils.
Then move on to finishing the fuselage. Will post some photos once I get the parts in the paint area, it is amazing just how big it looks once you put both wings together. The wing area is 2800 sq in, even at 40 pounds the cubic wing loading is 7.5 which would put it in the trainer range. Should be a floater, time will tell.

Note revised cubic wing loading from less than 4 to 7.5, not quite the Sig Kadet Sr range but still in the trainer range.

 

Put two coats of Ekoprime on the wings today and ran out of primer. I had bought 1 quart of primer and discovered it was not enough to do the wing. I ordered another quart that should finish the plane. The primer really brings out the flaws. Need to sand the imperfections with 320 open cut dry paper. The primer does sand easy so by time the primer arrives it should be ready for final primer coat and paint. Based on the primer usage I ordered a second quart of 7AC yellow as well.
Bottom line here is the wings will not be painted this weekend.
The water based paint dries slow so I spend most of the afternoon putting on two coats. Paint a little, cut a little grass. All in all I'm happy so far, and no smell to deal with.

 

Here's a shot of the ailerons in the fixture I made for painting, supported by the hinges and can rotate 180 degrees for top and bottom.

 

Thanks, just so you know, still sanding primer. I sand one bay at a time then move on to other fun things like chords and such
Did get a little flying in this weekend, fall is in the air here in south west PA, will need to dig out the long pants soon and put away the flip flops. Also hauled one of the clubs mowers home today and ripped down the engine. Would not turn over with the starter. Engine was overheated and popped the exhaust valve guides out, bend all the pushrods, need two new heads. New heads are $150 each and another $100 or so in gaskets and pushrods. Not sure the club wants to put $400-$500 into a $400 mower! Looking for a cheaper solution.

 

The shipment from Steward Systems arrived today. I have the wings and ailerons sanded with 320, plan is to put the final fill coat on in the morning and hopefully the color coat in the afternoon. I need to look at some flooring at 10:00 am for an upcoming project on my honey do list, I hope to be back by noon and start the color coats.
According to the manual, the color gets fogged on and allowed to dry until tacky with additional fog coats following until full color saturation is achieved, then a final wet coat. Should take some time.
Once this is complete I hope to summarize my thoughts and lessons learned here.

 

Well today went as planned, got up early and put the final coat of primer on, finished up at 9:30 AM. Went and looked at flooring, got back home and final sanded the wings with 320 and red Scotbrite pads. Started with the yellow at 3:00 pm, finished spraying at 5:30PM. Three coats covered the white primer. I'm happy with the result. Dusted a base coat on, second coat at 90 degree to first, third and final coat 90 degree to second. The paint flows out nice. On the final coat noticed a few trademarks on the leading edge, I brushed the runs out with the back of my glove, stood the wing up vertically and the brush marks flowed out without any help. According to the paint manual, the paint needs 12 hours to cure. Tomorrow I'll get rid of the plastic sheet and get the grandson's slot car car track back where it belongs.

 

A few more photos, bottom of wing. Got to help a friend with a plane tomorrow, wouldn't get much done on the Champ